SECOND DI VI SI ON

M I LLER, P. J.

, HODGES, and PI PKI N, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

https ://w w w

. ga a ppe a ls .us /r ule s

M ar ch 15, 2022



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A2 0 A1 97 3 . BURRELL v . THE STATE.

P I P K I N , J u d g e.

Ap p el l an t Sh erro n Bu rrel l was co nv i ct ed o f k i d n ap p i n g wi t h b o d il y i n j u r y

,

ag g rav at ed as s au l t

, t erro ri s t i c t h reat

, an d b at t er y ; h e was sen t en ced t o l i fe

i m p ri s o n m en t

. 1 On ap p eal

, Bu rrel l arg u es t h at t h e s up eri o r co u rt lack ed j u ri s d i ct i o n

o v er h i m ab s en t a t ran s fer o rd er f r o m j u v en il e co u rt

, t h at t h e ev i d en ce was

i n s u ffi ci en t t o s us t ai n h i s co n v i ct i o n fo r k i d n ap pi n g wi t h b o di l y i n ju ry

, t h at t h e

1 Bu rrel l ch al l en g es t h e co n s t i t u t i o n al it y o f OCGA § 1 6-5 -4 0 (d ) (4 ), wh i ch

m an d at es a s en t en ce o f l i fe i m p ri s o n m en t fo r h is co n v i ct i o n fo r k i d n ap p i n g wi th

b o d i l y in ju ry ; co n s eq u en t l y

, we t ran s ferre d t h i s ap p eal t o t h e Su p rem e Co u rt o f

Geo rg i a. See Ga. Co n st

. o f 1 9 8 3

, Art

. VI, Sec. V I, Par. II. Ho wev er, o ur Su p rem e

C o u rt t ran s ferred t h e ap p eal b ack t o t h i s Co u rt aft er co n cl ud i ng t h at Bu rrel l ’ s

co n st i t u t io n al cl ai m was n o t p ro p erl y p res erv ed fo r ap p el l at e rev i e w

. See Cas e No

. S2 0 A1 56 2 (t ran sferred No v em b er 2

, 2 0 2 0 ). See al s o Amo s v. S t at e

, 2 9 8 Ga. 8 0 4

, 8 0 7

(2 ) (7 83 SE2 d 9 00 ) (2 0 1 6 ). Acco rd i n g l y , we d o n o t co n si d er t h i s cl ai m

.s u p eri o r c o u r t e rred b y ad m i t t i n g ot h er act s ev i d en ce u n d er OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 4 (b ),

an d t hat t ri al co u n s el was in effect i v e. As m o re fu l l y ex p lai n ed b el o w

, we s ee n o b as i s

fo r rev ers al an d affi rm

t he t ri al co u rt

.

W h en v iewed i n a l i g ht m o s t fav o rab l e t o t h e verd i ct s, s ee Ja cks o n v. Vi r g i n i a

,

4 4 3 U.S. 3 0 7 (9 9 SCt 27 8 1

, 6 1 LE2 d 56 0 ) (1 9 7 9 ), t h e ev id en ce ad d u ced b el o w

es t ab l i s h ed as fo l l o w s

. Th e v i ct i m , Kat ie Co o k, t es t i fi ed t h at s he fi rs t m et Bu rrel l

–

wh o was 1 5 y ears o l d at t h e t i m e

– i n earl y J u l y 2 01 3 wh en h e ap p ro ach ed h er i n t h e

fro n t y ard o f h er res i d en ce, as k i n g fo r d i rec t i o n s an d t o u s e h er tel ep h o n e. Co o k

fo u n d Bu rrel l ’ s beh av io r s t ran ge an d as k ed wh y h e n eed ed t o u s e a t el ep h o n e g i v en

t h at h e was al read y carry i n g o n e; Bu rrel l res p o n d ed t h at h i s cel l ph o n e h ad d i ed

, an d

Co o k p erm i t t ed Bu rrel l i n t o h er h o m e t o u se h er s o n ’ s p h o n e. On ce i n t h e res i d en ce,

Bu rr e l l e n co u nt ered Co o k ’ s s o n

, Di ll o n, an d i t was ap p aren t t h at t h e t wo were

acq u ai n ted fro m h i gh s ch o o l

. Co o k t es t ifi ed t h at , aft er en co u n t eri ng Di l l o n

, Bu rrel l

cl ai m ed t o b e t i red an d “ b o l t ed o u t o f [t h e] h o us e an d o u t t h e d o o r.”

Ap p ro x im at el y

t wo week s l at er, Co o k was ag ai n o u t s i d e – s it ti n g at t h e ed g e

o f h er d ri v eway en

jo yi n g t h e s u m

m er n i gh t

– w h en so m eo n e ap p ro ach ed h er fro m

b e h i n d an d as k ed

, “ M a’ am

, are y o u o k? ” an d th en “ W h ere’ s y o u r s o n at ? ” C o o k

t es t i fi ed t h at s h e i m

m ed i at el y reco g n i zed Bu rrel l ’ s v o i ce. Befo re sh e co u ld an s wer,

2Bu rrel l p u l l ed h e r to an u p ri g h t p o s i t io n

, p res s ed a k n i fe t o h er s i d e, an d p l aced a

h an d o v er her m ou t h ; h e warn ed Co o k th at h e wo u ld k il l h er i f s h e s cream ed

. Bu rrel l

d rag g ed Co o k fi v e t o t en f e e t t o w a r d h e r h o u s e, t el l in g h er t h at h e was t ak i n g h er

i n s i d e

. C o ok at tem

p t ed t o free h ers el f fro m Bu rrel l an d fo u g h t fo r co n tro l o f t h e

k n i fe; s h e cam e face-t o -face wi t h Bu rrel l an d ag ai n re c o g n i z e d h i m

. Du ri n g t h e

s t ru g g l e, Bu rrel l h i t Co o k an d at t em p t ed t o o v erp o wer h er, b u t Co o k s cream ed an d

was ab le t o s ecu re t h e k n i fe. Co o k fel l face d o w n o n t h e g ro u nd

, an d Bu rrel l l an d ed

o n t o p o f h e r ; Bu rel l b it Co o k t wi ce on t h e face an d th en “ t o ok o ff ru n n i n g .” Co o k

was l eft s crap ed an d b l o o di ed b y t he i n ci d en t

.

Law en fo rcem en t arri v ed o n s c e n e a n d d i s co v ered a kn i fe l y i n g i n Co o k ’ s

d ri v eway

. Becau s e Co o k was ab l e t o i d en t i fy Bu rrel l

, offi cers m ad e co n t act wi t h h i s

fat h er, wh o li v ed ju s t a b l o ck away

. Bu rrel l ’ s fat h er t o l d t o i nv es t i g at ors t h at h e h ad

recei v ed a t el ep h o n e cal l fro m h i s s o n rep o rt i n g t h at “ he h a d ju s t d o ne a v ery b ad

t h i n g an d [t h at ] h e was n o t co m i n g h o m e.”

Th e ju ry al s o h eard fro m A. O., wh o s e t es t i m o n y t h e s up eri o r co u rt d eem ed

ad m i s s i b l e p u rs u an t t o OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 4 (b ). A

. O., wh o was 1 6 y ears o l d at t h e t i m e

o f t ri al , t es t i fi ed t h at s h e an d Bu rrel l at t en ded s ch o o l t o g et h er an d t h at t h ey were i n

an o n -ag ai n, o ff-ag ai n ro m an ti c rel at i on s h i p fo r y ears

. A. O. t es t ifi ed t h at

, in t h e earl y

3m o rn i n g h o u rs o f Ap ri l 7, 2 0 1 3

, – ju s t t h ree m o n t h s b efo re t h e i n ci d en t wi th Co o k

–

Bu rrel l en t ered h er res i d en ce wi t h ou t p erm i s si on an d ap p eared at h er do o rway wi th

a k ni fe, t el li n g h er t o k eep q ui et

. Aft er en t eri n g her b ed ro o m an d l ock i n g th e d o o r,

Bu rrel l rap ed an d s ex u al l y a s s a u l t e d A. O

. Du ri n g t he i n ci d en t

, Bu rrel l p res s ed t h e

k n i fe t o A. O.’ s h i p

, bi t A. O. o n h er face an d n eck

, an d t h reat en ed t o k i l l h er fam i l y

i f s he rep o rt ed t h e i n ci den t

.

1

. W e fi rs t ad dres s t h e as s ert i o n t h at t h e s u p eri or co urt l ack ed j u ri sd i ct i o n to

t ry Bu rrel l b ecau s e, h e s ay s

, t he ch arg es i n t h is cas e s h ou l d h av e o ri g i n at ed i n t h e

ju v en i l e c o u r t

. A b ri ef rev i ew o f t h e p ro ced u ral h i st ory o f th i s pro s ecu t i o n i s

n eces s ary t o ad d res s t h i s cl ai m

.

Al l p ro ceed i n g s i n t hi s cas e o ccu rred i n t h e su p eri o r co u rt

. Bu rrel l was arres t ed

o n Ju l y 14

, 2 0 1 3, t h e d ay aft er t h e at t ack o n Co o k

. At th at ti m e, he was ch arg ed by

warran t s wi t h o ffen ses ari s i ng fro m t wo i n ci d en t s : t h e fi rs t i n ci d en t occu rred o n J u l y

1 2

, 2 0 1 3

, i n v o l v i n g vi ct i m S. G., an d t h e s eco n d i n ci den t o ccu rred o n J u l y 1 3

, 2 0 1 3,

i n v o l v i n g v i ct i m Co o k

. W i t h res p ect t o t h e J u ly 1 2 in ci d en t i n v o l v i n g S. G., Bu rrel l

was ch arg ed wi t h rap e, ag g rav at ed s o d o m y , ag g rav at ed as sau l t , an d b u rg l ary

. W i th

res p ect t o t h e J u l y 13 i nci d en t i n v o l v i n g Co o k

, Bu rrel l was i n i ti al l y ch arg ed wi th

b at t ery

, k i d nap p i ng

, an d ag g rav at ed as sau l t

. Th e reco rd refl ect s t h at t h e arres t

4warran t s fo r bo t h cas es referen ce t h e s am e o ffen s e t rack i ng nu m b er. In Oct o ber 2 0 1 3,

Bu rrel l was in di ct ed fo r b o t h i n ci d en t s i n a s i n g l e i n d i ct m en t ; imp o r t a n t t o o u r l a t er

d i s cu s s i o n

, t he i nd i ct ed o ffen s es were n o t i d en t i cal t o t h e ch arg es o n wh ich h e was

i n i t i al l y arres t ed

.

Th e O ct ob er 2 0 13 in di ct m en t ch arg ed Bu rrel l wi t h rap e, ag g rav at ed s o d o m y

,

ag g rav at ed s ex u al b at t ery

, bu rg l ary i n t h e fi rs t d eg ree, fal s e i m p ri s o nm en t

, an d t h ree

co u nt s o f ag grav at ed as s au lt w i t h res p ect t o t he J u l y 1 2 in ci d en t i n v o l v i ng S. G. W i th

res p ect t o t h e J u ly 1 3 i n ci d en t i n v o l v i n g Co o k

, t h e i n d i ct m en t ch arg ed Bu rrel l wi th

ki d n a p p i ng wi t h b od i l

y i n j u ry

, ag g rav at ed as s au l t

, b at t ery

, an d t erro ri s ti c t h reat

. Th e

ch arg es rel at ed to t h e J u l y 1 2 i nci d en t were ev en tu al ly n o l l e p ro s eq u i ed

, an d Bu rrel l

was tri ed i n t h e s u p eri o r co u rt o n t h e ch arg es s t em m i n g f r o m t h e J u l y 13 i n ci d en t

i n v o l v i n g Co o k.

Un d er fo rm er O C G A § 1 5 -1 1 -2 8 (b ) (1 ), 2 t h e ju v en i le co u rt an d t h e s u p eri o r

co u rt s h are co ncu rren t ju ri s d i ct i o n

2 Becau s e t h e cri m es occu rred i n 20 1 3, t h e o l d J u v en il e Co de ap p l i es here. See

In r e D.H.

, 3 3 2 Ga. Ap p

. 2 7 4

, 2 7 5

- 2 7 6 (1 ) (7 7 2 SE2 d 7 0 ) (2 01 5 ) (reco gn i zi n g t h at

Geo rg i a’ s new Ju v en i l e Co d e ap p l i es to “ al l o ffen s es wh i ch o ccu r an d ju v e n i l e

p roc e e dings” c om

m e n c e d o n o r aft er J an uary 1

, 2 0 1 4

, wh il e “ [a] n y o ffen ses o ccu rri n g

b efo re J an uary 1

, 20 1 4

, s h al l b e g o v ern ed by t h e s t at u t e i n effect at t h e t i m e o f s u ch

o ffen s e”) (ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed ).

5o v er a ch i l d wh o i s al l eg ed t o h av e co m m i t t ed a d e l i n q u e n t act wh ich

wo u ld b e co n s id ered a cri m e i f t ri ed i n a s up eri o r co u rt a n d f o r w h i ch

t h e ch i l d m ay b e p u n i s h ed b y lo s s o f li fe, i m p ri so n m en t fo r l i fe wi t h o u t

t h e p o s s ib i l i t y o f p aro l e, o r co n fi n em en t fo r l i fe i n a p en al i n s t i t u t io n

.

Ho wev er, t h e s u p eri o r co u rt ret ai n s ex cl u s i v e ju ri sd i ct i o n o ver th e t ri al o f an y ch i ld

1 3 t o 1 7 y ears of ag e wh o i s al l eg ed t o h av e co m m i t t ed cert ai n en u m erat ed offen s es

,

i n cl u d i n g rap e. See OCGA § 1 5 -1 1 -2 8 (b ) (A) (2 ) (2 0 1 3 ). Th at sai d

, we keep i n m i n d

t h at “ [t ] h e s u p eri o r co u rt i s n o t d i v es ted o f j u ri s d i ct i o n m erel y b ecau se s o m e, b u t n ot

al l

, ev i d en ce o f cri m i n al act s i s b ey o n d t h e s co p e o f t h e s u p eri o r co u rt ’ s ju ri s d i ct i o n,

s o l o n g as t h at ev i d en ce s t em s fro m t h e s am e cri m in al tran s act i o n wh i ch v es t s t h e

s u p eri o r co u rt w i t h ju ri s d i ct i o n

. ” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at io n o m i t t ed

. ) Sea b o l t v. S t a t e

,

2 7 9 Ga. 5 1 8

, 5 1 9 (1 ) (6 1 6 SE2 d 4 4 8 ) (2 0 0 5 ).

Bu rrel l ack no wl ed g es t h at t h e s u p eri o r co urt m ay h av e h ad ex cl u s i v e o ri g i n al

ju ri s d i ct i o n o v er t h e J u l y 1 2 o ffen s es as a res u l t o f t h e rap e ch arg e

. H e co n t en d s

,

t h o u g h

, th at th e su p eri or co u rt l ack ed ju ri s d i ct io n ov er t h e cri m es s et o u t i n t h e arres t

warran t s t em m i ng fro m t h e J u l y 1 3 i n ci d en t becau s e, h e say s

, t h ey were n ot

co n nect ed t o t h e o ffen ses ari s i n g o u t o f t h e J u l y 1 2 in ci d en t an d b ecau s e th ey were

n o t p u ni s h ab l e b y l o s s of l i fe, i m p ri s o n m en t fo r l i fe w i t ho u t t h e p o s s ib i l i ty of p aro l e,

6o r co n fi n em en t fo r li fe. 3 W e n o t e t h at Bu rrel l ’ s arg u m en t t u rn s o n h is p o s i t io n t h at t h e

J u l y 1 2 an d J u l y 1 3 i nci d en t s are u nrel at ed

, b u t t h at Bu rrel l nev er arg u ed b el o w t h at

t h e ch arg es h ere d id n o t s t em fro m t h e s am e cri m i n al t ran s act io n o r t h at t h e t w o

i n ci d en t s s h o u l d h av e b een co ns i d ered s ep arat el y fo r t h e p u rp o s es o f ju ri s d i ct i o n.

In d eed

, Bu rrel l co n ced ed b el o w t h at t h e s u p eri or co urt ret ai n ed ex cl u si v e j u ri s d i ct i o n

o v er t h e en t i ret y

o f t h e cas e ag ai n s t h i m

.

Nev ert h el es s

, ev en i f w e were t o co n s i der t h e m eri t s o f t h i s en u m erat i o n,

Bu rrel l h as fai l ed t o d em o n s t rat e erro r b y t he reco rd o n ap peal t h at t h e s u p eri o r co u rt

erro neo u s l y ret ai n ed ju ri sd i ct i o n h ere. See H or n bu ckl e v. S t at e

, 3 0 0 Ga. 7 5 0

, 7 5 3 (2 )

(7 9 7 SE2 d 1 1 3 ) (2 0 1 7 ) ( “ Th e ap p el l an t b ears t h e b u rd en o f p ro v i n g erro r b y t h e

ap p el l at e reco rd .”) (ci tat i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

As an i n i t i al m at t er, t h e det ai ls o f t h e J u l y 12 i n ci den t i n v o l vi n g S. G. are n ot

d ev el o p ed i n t h e reco rd becau s e t h o s e ch arg es were n o l l e p ro s eq u i ed s h o rt l y b efo re

Bu rrel l ’ s t ri al ; co n seq u en t l y, t h i s Co u rt i s u n ab l e t o co m p are t h e t wo i n ci d en t s at

i s su e h ere to ev al u at e p o s s i bl e erro r. W h il e Bu rrel l arg u es th at t h e “ Ju l y 1 3 i n ci d en t

was a s ep arat e i n ci d en t i n v o l v i n g a d i fferen t v i ct i m an d o ccu rred o n a d i fferen t d ay ,”

3 As n ot ed ab o v e, Bu rrel l was in i ti al l y ch arg ed wi th k id n ap pi n g b ut was l at er

i n d i ct ed o n t h e ch arg e o f k id n ap p i n g wi t h b od i l y i n ju ry

.

7t h es e fact o rs al o ne are n o t d i s po s i t i v e an d do n o t es t ab l i s h erro r. See S ea bo l t

, 2 7 9 Ga.

at 4 4 9 -4 5 0 (1 ) (s u p eri o r co u rt had ju ri s d i ct i o n o v er a nu m b er o f o ffen s es co m

m i t t ed

b y a ju v en i l e o v er t he co urs e of m an y m o n t h s ). In s tead

, fo r al l t h at ap p ears b efo re u s

,

t h e i nci den ts o ccu rred wi t h i n 4 8 h o u rs o f each o t h er, i n cl o se g eo grap h i cal p ro x i m i t y

,

an d i n v o lv ed s i m il ar v i ol en t o ffen s es acco m pl i s h ed w i t h a k n i fe. In s h o rt

, t h ere i s

n o t h i n g i n t h e reco rd b efo re t h i s Co u rt t o d em o n st rat e t h at th e s u p eri o r co u rt erred by

ex erci s i ng ju ri sd i ct i o n o v er Bu rrel l

.

Fi n al l y

, we n o t e t hat th e ju v en i le co u rt nev er as s u m ed ju ri s d i ct io n o v er an y o f

t h e o ffen s es

. T h u s

, ev en i f th e J u l y 1 3 offen ses d i d no t in i t i al ly fal l wi t h i n t h e

ju ri s d i ct i o n o f th e s u p eri o r co u rt

, o n ce th e St at e i nd i ct ed Bu rrel l o n k i d n ap p i n g wi th

b o d i l y i n ju ry

– wh i ch carri es a m an d at o ry s en t en ce o f l i fe i m p ri s on m en t

, s ee OCGA

§ 16 -5 -4 0 (d ) (4 )

– t h e s u p e r i o r co u rt g ai n ed co n cu rren t ju ri s d i ct io n ov er t h e

k i d n ap p i ng ch arg e an d th e acco m p an y in g o ffen s es

. 4 See In r e K. C

. , 2 90 Ga. Ap p.

4 1 6

, 4 1 7 (6 5 9 SE2 d 8 21 ) (2 0 0 8 ) (ev en t h o u gh o ri g in al ch arg es b ro u g h t i n s u p eri o r

co u rt sh o u l d h av e b een fi l ed i n ju v en i l e co u rt

, s u p eri o r co u rt g ai n ed ju ri s d i ct i o n o v er

4 Th ere is n o arg u m en t t h at t h e ki d n ap p i n g c h a r g e i s di st i n ct fro m th e o t h er

ch arg es ari s i n g fro m t h e J u ly 1 3 i n ci d en t

.

8m at t er o n ce t h e St at e am en d ed ch arg es ). Acco rd i n g l y, t h e r e i s n o m eri t t o t h i s

en u m erat i o n o f erro r.

2

. Bu rrel l as s ert s t h at t h e ev i d en ce was i n s u ffi ci en t t o s u st ai n h i s co n v i ct i o n fo r

k i d n ap p i ng wi t h b o di l y i n j u ry

, arg u i n g t h at “ t h e m o v em en t o f th e vi ct i m h ere was n ot

ag ai n s t h er wi l l ” an d t h at

, ev en i f i t were, “ i t was m erel y i n ci d en t al t o t h e ag g rav at ed

as s au l t .” Th i s arg um en t i s al s o m eri t l es s

.

“ W h en an ap p el lan t ch al l en g es t h e s u ffi ci en cy o f t h e ev i d en ce, t h e rel ev an t

q u e s t i o n i s w h et h er, aft er vi ewi n g t h e ev i d en ce i n t h e l i g h t m os t fav o rab l e t o t h e

p ro s ecu ti o n

, an y rat i o n al t ri er o f fact co u ld h av e fo u nd t he es s en t ial el em en t s o f t h e

cri m e b ey o n d a reas o nab l e d o u b t .” (Ci t at i o n

, p u n ct u at io n

, an d em p h as i s o m i t t e d

. )

Jef f er s o n v. S t a t e

, 3 6 0 Ga. Ap p . 8 6 9, 8 7 0 (1 ) (8 6 2 SE2 d 3 4 6 ) (2 0 2 1 ).

“ A p ers o n c o m m i t s th e o ffen s e o f ki d n ap p i n g w h en s u ch p ers on ab d u ct s o r

s t eal s away an ot h er p ers o n wi t h o ut l awfu l au t ho ri t y o r warran t an d h o l d s s u ch o t h er

p ers o n ag ai n s t h i s o r he r w i l l

. ” OCGA § 1 6 -5 -4 0 (a). Th e o ffen s e of k id n ap p i n g

req u i res o n l y “ s l i g h t m o v em en t

. . . p ro v i d ed

, h o w e v e r

, t h at an y s u ch s l i g ht

m o vem en t . . . wh i ch o ccu rs wh i l e i n t he co m m i ss i o n o f an y

o t h er o ffen s e s h al l n ot

co n st i t u t e t h e offen s e o f k i d n ap p i n g i f s u ch m o v em en t i s m erel y in ci d en tal t o s u ch

o t h er o ffen s e.” OCGA § 1 6 -5 -4 0 ( b ) (1 ). Su ch “ s l i g h t m o v em en t ” i s n o t “ m erel y

9i n ci d en t al ” t o an o t h er cri m e i f th e m o v em en t co n ceal s o r i s o l at es t h e v i ct i m , m ak es

t h e co m m i s s io n o f t he o t h er o ffen s e s u bs t an ti al l y eas ier, les s en s t h e ri s k o f d et ect i o n,

o r i s i n t en d ed t o av o i d ap p reh en s i on

. 5 OCGA § 1 6 -5 -4 0 (b ) (2 ).

Th e cru x o f Bu rrel l ’ s cl ai m i s t h at t h ere was n o k i d n ap p i n g b ecau s e, h e s ay s

,

Co o k ’ s m o v e m e n t was a co n s eq u en ce o f h er d eci si o n t o fi g h t h i m an d was m erel y

i n ci d en t al t o th e s t ru g g le fo r t h e k n i fe. Ho wev er, Co o k ’ s tes t i m on y m ak es p l ai n t h at

,

aft er Bu rrel l cam e u p b eh i nd h er wi t h a k ni fe, h e t o l d h er t h at t hey were “ g o i n g

i n s i d e” an d t hat h e t hen “ p ick ed [h er] u p

, d ru g [h er] u p an d d ru g [h er] b ack ward s

,

p ro b ab l y ab o u t fi v e to ten feet .” Th u s

, wh i le t h ere was a s u b s eq u en t s t ru g g l e fo r t h e

k n i fe, t h e i n ci d en t b eg an wi t h Bu rrel l ’ s an n o u n ci n g h i s in t en t i o n t o m o v e t h e v i ct i m

an d t h en p hy s ical l y m o vi n g h er, wh i ch res u l t ed i n i n ju ry t o th e v ict i m

. M o reo v er,

ev en i f th e m o vem en t co u l d b e co n s i d ered i n ci d en t al t o t h e ag g rav at ed as s au l t i n t h i s

cas e

– n am el y Bu rrel l p l aci n g Co o k i n r e a s on ab l e ap preh en s i o n o f i m m ed i at el y

recei v i ng a v i o l en t i n

ju ry wi t h a d ead l y weap o n

– Bu rrel l ’ s m ov em en t o f Co o k was

d es i g n ed t o i s o l at e h er an d t o l es s en t h e ri s k o f d et ect i o n. Un d er ei t h er s cen ari o

, t h e

5 W e rem i n d t h e part i es t h at th ei r rel i an ce o n Ga r z a v. St a t e

, 2 8 4 Ga. 6 9 6 (6 7 0

SE2 d 7 3 ) (2 0 0 8 ), an d i t s p ro g en y i s m i s p l aced

. “ Ga r z a h as b een su p ers ed ed b y s t at u t e

fo r offen s es o ccu rri n g aft er Ju l y 1

, 2 0 0 9.” Go n za l ez v. Ha r t

, 2 97 Ga. 6 70

, 6 7 2 n

. 3

(7 7 7 SE2 d 4 5 6 ) (2 0 1 5 ).

10ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o es tab l i s h k i d n ap p i n g w i t h b o di l y i nju ry

. See Al exa n d er v.

S t a t e

, 3 4 8 Ga. Ap p

. 8 5 9

, 8 65 (1 ) (8 2 5 SE2 d 4 0 5 ) (2 0 1 9 ); Fl o yd v. S ta te

, 34 2 Ga. Ap p.

4 3 8 , 4 4 1 (1 ) (a) (8 0 3 SE2 d 5 97 ) (2 0 1 7 ).

3

. Bu rrel l al s o arg u es t hat t h e s u p eri o r co u rt erred b y al l o w i n g A. O. t o t es t i fy

p u rs u an t t o OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 4 (b ) (“ Ru l e 4 0 4 (b )”). W e d i s ag ree.

W h en d et erm i n i ng t h e ad m i s s i b i l it y o f ev i d en ce u n d er Ru l e 4 0 4 (b ), we u s e t h e

fo l l o w i n g t h ree-p art t es t :

(1 ) t h e ev i den ce m

u s t be rel ev an t t o an i ss u e o t h er t h an d ef en d an t ’ s

ch aract er; (2 ) t h e p ro b at i v e v al u e m us t n o t b e s ub s tan t ial l y o u t wei g h ed

b y i t s u n d ue p reju d i ce; (3 ) th e [St at e] m u s t o ffer s u ffi ci en t pro o f s o t hat

t h e ju ry co u l d fi n d t h at d efen d an t co m m i t t ed t h e act

.

(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at io n o m i t t ed .) S ma r t v. S t a t e , 2 9 9 Ga. 4 14 , 4 17 (2 ) (7 8 8 SE2 d

4 4 2 ) (2 01 6 ). W e n o w ad d res s each q u es t i o n i n t u rn

, rev iewi n g t h e su p eri o r c o urt ’ s

d eci s i o n fo r an ab u s e o f d i s cret i o n . Id

.

(a) Un d er Ru l e 4 0 4 (b ), “ [e] v i d en ce o f o t h er cri m es

, wro n g s

, o r act s s h al l n ot

b e ad m is s i bl e t o p ro v e t he ch aract er o f a p ers o n i n o rd er to s h o w act i o n in co n fo rm i t y

t h erewi t h

. It m ay

, ho wev er, b e a d m i s s i b l e fo r o t h er p u rp o s es

, i n cl u d i n g

, b u t n ot

l i m i ted t o

, p ro o f of m o t i ve, o p po rt u n i t y

, i n t en t

, p rep arat i o n

, p l an

, k no wl ed ge,

11i d en t i t y

, o r ab s en ce o f m i s t ak e o r acci d en t.” Here, t h e St at e o ffered t h e ev i d en ce to

p ro v e, am o n g o th er t h i n gs , p l an

. 6

Ev i d en ce ad m i t ted u n d er Ru l e 4 0 4 (b ) t o s ho w t h e d efen dan t ’ s p lan o r

p rep arat i o n o f

t e n s h ows t h e p l an n i n g o f o r prep arat io n o f t h e ch arg ed

o ffen s e.

. . . In o t h er cas es

, ev i d en ce o f rel at ed o r s i m i l ar p ri o r o ffen ses

h as b een ad m i tt ed b ecau s e i t t e n d e d t o pro v e t h at th e d efen d an t

em p l o y ed a ‘ co m

m o n sch em e’ t o co m

m i t a seri es o f s i m i l ar cri m es

. T h i s

ap p ro ach b l en d s t h e p u rp o s e o f p lan wi t h t h e p u r p o s e o f i d en t i t y

–

s h o wi n g t h at a di s t in ct i v e p l an was u s ed t en ds t o p ro v e t hat t h e s am e

p ers on ex ecu t ed b o th p l an s

.

(Ci t at i o n s

, p u n ct u at i o n

, an d em p h as i s o m i t t ed .) Hea r d v. S t a t e

, 3 06 Ga. 7 6

, 8 7 -8 8 (3 )

(e) (8 4 4 SE2 d 7 9 1 ) (2 0 20 ). W h et h er A. O.’ s t es t i m o n y was ad m i ss i b le u n d er t h i s

“ d i st i n ct i v e-p lan p urp os e” t u rn s o n wh et h e r t h e e v i d en ce wo ul d b e ad m i s s i b l e to

s h o w i d en t i t y . Id

.

[E] v i d en ce o ffered t o p ro v e i d en t i t y m u s t s at i s fy a p art i cu l arl y s t ri n g en t

an al y s i s

. W h en ex t ri n s i c o ffen s e ev id en ce i s i n t ro d u ced t o p ro ve

i d en ti t y

, t h e l i k en es s o f t h e o ffen s es i s t h e cru ci al co n s i d erat i o n

. T he

p h y s i cal s i m i l a r i t y m

u st b e s u ch t hat i t m ark s t h e o ffen s es as th e

h an d i wo rk o f t he accu s ed

. I n o t h e r wo rd s

, th e ev id en ce m u s t

6 Th e s u p eri o r co u rt al s o d et erm i n ed t hat t h e tes t im on y w as ad m i s s ib l e t o p ro v e

i n t en t ; h o wev er, b ecau s e we co n cl u d e th at A. O.’ s t es t i m o n y was ad m i ss i b l e t o p ro v e

p l an

, we n eed n ot ad d res s wh et h er i t was al s o ad m i ss i b l e t o p ro v e i n t en t

. See Ho o d

v. S t a t e , 3 0 9 Ga. 4 9 5 , 5 0 1 (2 ) n .8 (8 4 7 SE2 d 1 7 2 ) (2 0 2 0 ).

12d em o ns trat e a m o d u s o p eran d i

. Th e ex tri n s i c act m u s t b e a “ s i g nat u re”

cri m e, an d t h e d efen d an t m u s t hav e u s ed a m o d u s o p eran di t hat i s

u n i q u el y h i s

. Th e s i g n at u re t rai t req u i rem en t i s i m p o s ed t o i n s u r e t h a t

t h e [St at e] i s n ot rel y i n g o n an i n feren ce b as ed on m ere ch aract er – t hat

a d efen d an t has a p ro p en s i t y fo r cri m i n al b eh av i o r. E v id en ce can n o t be

u s ed t o p ro v e i d en t i t y s i m p l y b ecau s e t h e d efen d an t h as at o t her t i m es

co m m i t t ed t h e s am e co m

m o n p l ace v ari et y

o f cri m i n al act

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at io n o m i t t ed

. ) Un i t ed S t a t es v. Ph a kn i ko n e

, 6 0 5 F3 d 1 0 9 9,

1 1 0 8 (III) (A) (1 1 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 0 ). “ [W ] e are ch arg ed t o co n s i d er t h e d i s s i m i lari t i es as

wel l as s i m i l ari t i es i n d et erm i n i n g wh et h er o t h er act s ev id en ce i s ad m i s s i b l e t o s h o w

i d en t i t y .” Br o o k

s v. S ta te

, 2 9 8 Ga. 7 2 2

, 7 2 5 (2 ) (7 8 3 SE2 d 8 9 5 ) (2 0 1 6 ). H o wev er,

“ t h e ch arg ed cri m es an d t h e p ri o r cri m e n eed n o t b e, an d n ev er wi l l b e, i den t i cal in

ev ery d et ai l

. Bu t t h ey m

u s t p o ss es s a co m

m o n feat u re or fe a t u r e s th at m ak e i t v ery

l i kel y t h at t h e un k n o w n p erp et rat o r o f t h e ch arg ed cri m e an d th e k n own p erp et rat o r

o f t h e p ri o r cri m e are t h e s am e p ers o n .” (Ci t at i o n an d pu n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed .) S co t t v.

S t a t e , 3 5 7 Ga. Ap p

. 2 8 9 , 2 9 3 (1 ) (8 5 0 SE2 d 4 7 7 ) (2 0 20 ).

Bu rrel l arg u es t h at t h e t wo o f f en s es “ were n o t s i m i l ar en o u g h t o su rv i v e t h e

‘ part i cu l arl y s t ri n g en t an al y s i s’ req u i red t o ad m it cr im e s a s ‘ ha n diw or k’ or ‘ si g n at u re’

o f t h e accu s ed .” W h i l e we reco g n i ze t h at A

. O., a t een a g e r, was a fo rm er i n t i m at e

p art n er o f Bu r r e l l ’s an d t h at Co o k

, an ad u lt

, was at m os t

, an acq ui t t an ce, t h e fact

13rem ai n s t h at b o t h v i ct i m s were k no wn t o Bu rrel l p ri o r t o t h e at t ack s. Fu rt her, t h ere

are s t ri k i n g s i m i l ari t i es b et ween t h e t wo ev en t s

, wh ich o ccu rred o n l y m o n t h s p art

. In

each i n s t an ce, Bu rrel l ap p eared at t h e v i ct i m ’ s h om e a r m e d w i t h a kn i fe, t o l d t h e

v i ct i m t o k eep q u i et

, h el d a kn i fe t o t h e v i ct i m ’ s t o rs o, at t ack ed t he v i ct i m

, t h reat en ed

h er, an d b i t h er i n t h e face. Ev en t ho u g h Bu rrel l a r g u e s t h a t t h ere was n o ev i d en ce

t h at h e i n t en d ed o r at t em

p t ed t o rap e Co o k

– n ot i n g t h at h e was no t ch arg ed wi t h rap e

– i t i s reas o n ab l e t o i n f

e r fro m t h e ev i d en ce h ere t h at Bu rrel l i n ten d ed to s ecl u d e

Co o k in h er res i d en ce fo r so m e n efari o u s p u rp o se b u t was t h wart ed b y Co o k ’ s

res i st en ce. In d eed

, “ [w] h i l e t h e t wo cri m es were n o t ex act l y t h e s am e, th e m an n er in

wh i ch th ey were carri ed ou t p res ent[s ] t h e s am e u n i q u e ch aract eri s t i cs .” Un i t ed S t a t es

v. Vi g n e

, 5 7 1 Fed .Ap p x

. 9 3 2, 9 3 4 ( I ) ( 1 1 th Ci r. 20 1 4 ). See al so Un i t ed S t a t es v.

Cl emo n s

, 3 2 F3 d 1 5 0 4

, 15 08 -1 5 1 0 (III) (1 1 t h Ci r. 1 9 9 4 ); Un i t ed S t a t es v. Mi l l er

, 9 5 9

F2 d 1 5 3 5

, 1 53 8 -1 5 4 0 (1 1 th Ci r. 1 9 9 2 ); Br a nn o n v. S t a t e

, 2 9 8 Ga. 6 0 1

, 6 07 (4 ) (7 8 3

SE2 d 6 4 2 ) (2 0 1 6). Acco rd i n g l y

, t h e ev i d en ce h ere was offered fo r a p ro p er p u rp o s e.

(b ) Ou r an al y s i s d oes n ot co n cl ud e m erel y becau s e A

. O.’ s t es t i m o n y was

rel ev an t t o an is s u e o t h er t h an Bu rrel l ’ s ch aract er. In s t ead

,

[w] e n o w m

u s t ad d res s wh et h er t h e p r o b a t i v e v al u e o f t h e ot her act s

ev i d en ce is s u b s t a n t i al ly o u t wei g h ed b y i t s u n fai r p reju d i ce, i .e., th e

14ev i d en ce m u s t s at i s fy t h e req u i rem en t s o f [OCGA § 2 4-4 -4 0 3 (“ Ru l e

4 0 3 ”)]

. . . . [A] s we hav e ex p l ai n ed befo re, t h e ex cl u s i o n o f e v i d en ce

u n d er Ru l e 4 0 3 i s an ex t rao rd i n ary rem ed y wh i ch s h ou l d b e u s ed o n l y

s p ari n g l y

. Th e m ajo r fu n ct i o n o f Ru le 4 0 3 i s t o ex cl u d e m at t er o f s can t

o r cu m u l at i v e pro bat i v e fo rce, d rag g ed i n by t h e h eel s fo r t h e s ak e o f i t s

p reju d i ci al effect

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) S m ar t , 2 9 9 Ga. at 4 1 8 (2 ) (b ).

Bu rrel l arg u es th at A. O.’ s t es t i m o n y h ad s can t p ro b at i v e v al ue, as sert i n g t h at

i t was un d u l y p reju di ci al t o p erm i t t he St at e t o cal l Bu rrel l a rap i s t

. Ho w ev er, A. O.’ s

t es t i m o ny was n o t el i ci t ed h e r e m e r e l y t o cas t Bu rrel l as a rap i s t ; i n s t ead

, i t was

cen t ral t o es t ab l is h in g Bu rrel l ’ s i d en t i t y i n t h i s cas e. As Bu rrel l reco gn i zes o n ap p eal

,

h i s d efen s e at t ri al was t h at h e was n o t t h e perp et rat o r; t h u s

, t he p ri m ary q u es t i o n at

t ri al was wh o co m

m i t t ed t h e cri m es ag ai n st Co o k

. Co o k was t h e s o l e ey ewi t n es s

, an d

wh i le s h e i d en t i fi ed Bu rrel l at t h e s cen e an d at t ri al

, h er i d en t ifi cat i o n was b as ed o n

m eet i n g Bu rrel l o n ce an d s eei ng h i s face fo r a m at ter o f s eco n ds i n t h e dark o n t h e

n i g h t o f h er at t ack

. A. O .’ s t es t i m o n y

– wh i ch d es cri b ed a s t ri k i n g l y s i m i l ar o ffen s e

co m m i t t ed b y so m eo ne wh os e i d en t i t y was no t i n d o u b t

– h ad s ub s t an t i al pro b at i v e

v al u e. Al t h o ug h “ [i ] t m ay b e h ig h l y preju d ici al t o b e cas t as a rap i s t

. . . t h e ev i d en ce

o f t h e [Ap ri l 2 0 1 3 ] i n ci d en t was n o t a m at t er o f s can t or cu m ul at i v e p ro b at i v e fo rce,

15d rag g ed i n b y th e heel s fo r t h e s ak e o f i t s p reju d i ci al effect .” (Ci t at i o n s an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m i t ted .) K

i r b y v

. S t a t e

, 3 0 4 Ga. 4 7 2

, 48 4 (4 ) (a) (i ) (8 1 9 SE2 d 4 6 8 )

(2 0 1 8). W h i le Bu rrel l was n o t ch arg ed wi t h rap e i n co nn ect i o n wi t h t h e i n ci d en t

i n v o l v i n g Co o k

, h e was faci n g ch arg es th at h e at t ack ed a wo m an w i t h a kn i fe an d

at t em p t ed t o d rag h er i nt o h er h o u s e; al t h o ug h A

. O.’ s tes t i m on y w a s d i s t u rb i n g,

“ t h ere was n o t h i n g i n h eren t in t h i s ev i d e n c e t h a t wo u l d creat e a ri sk t h at [Bu rrel l ]

wo u l d b e co n v i ct ed o n a g ro u n d d i fferen t fro m p ro o f s p eci fi c t o t h e o ffen se ch arg ed .”

(Ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed .) S

ma r t , 2 9 9 Ga. at 4 1 9 (2 ) (b ).

(c) W e al so co n cl u de t h at t h e St at e o ffered s uffi ci en t ev id en ce fo r t he ju ry t o

co n cl u d e t h at Bu rrel l co m m i t t ed t h e act s u n derl y i n g t h e Ru l e 4 04 (b ) ev i d en ce. A.O.

t es t i fi ed as t h e v i ct i m

, an d i d en t i f i e d B u rrel l as her as s ai l an t; t h e St at e ad d u ced

p h o t o g rap h s d ep i ct i n g Bu rrel l’ s b i t e m ark s on A. O. Th i s ev i d en ce was p l ai n l y

s u ffi ci en t t o s at i sfy t h i s req ui rem en t

. See Un i ted S t at es v. La i l

, 8 4 6 F2 d 1 29 9

, 1 3 0 2,

n

. 3 (1 9 88 ) (ey ewi t n es s t es t i m o n y s u ffi ci en t pro o f t h at d efen d an t co m m i t t ed ex t ri n s i c

act s u n d er Ru l e 4 04 (b )).

Acco rd i ng l y

, we co n cl u d e t h at t he s up eri o r co u rt d i d n o t ab u se i t s d i s cret i o n

i n ad m i t t in g A. O.’ s t es t i m o n y u n d er Ru l e 4 0 4 (b ).

164

. Fi n al l y

, Bu rrel l arg ues t h at tri al co u n s el was i n e f f e c t i ve i n t wo d i fferen t

way s . W e ad d res s each arg u m en t i n t u rn

.

To s u cceed o n h i s cl ai m

, Bu rrel l m u s t d em o n st rat e bo t h t h at h i s t ri al co u n sel ’ s

p e rfo rm an ce was d efi ci en t an d t h at h e s u ffered p reju d i ce as a res u l t o f co u n sel ’ s

d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce. S t ri ckl a n d v. W a s h i n gt o n , 4 6 6 U. S. 6 6 8

, 6 87 (III) (1 0 4 SCt

2 0 5 2

, 8 0 LE2 d 6 7 4 ) (1 9 8 4 ). “ T o p ro v e d efi ci en t p erfo rm an c e

, [Bu rrel l ] m u s t s h o w

t h at h i s l awy er p erfo rm ed at t ri al i n an o b ject i v el y u nreas o n ab le way co n si deri n g al l

t h e ci rcu m s t an ces an d i n th e l i g h t o f p rev ai l i n g p ro fes s io nal n o rm s .” Ro mer v. S t a t e

,

2 9 3 Ga. 3 3 9

, 3 4 4 (3 ) (7 4 5 SE2 d 6 3 7 ) (2 0 13 ). As t o p reju di ce, Bu rrel l m u s t es t ab l i s h

t h at “ t h e d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce p reju d i ced t h e d efen se, wh i ch req u i res s h o wi n g t h at

co u ns el ’ s erro r s w ere s o s eri o u s t h at t h ey l ik el y affect ed t h e o u t co m e o f th e t ri al .”

Jo n es v. S t at e

, 3 0 5 G a. 7 5 0

, 7 55 (4 ) (8 2 7 SE2 d 87 9 ) (2 0 1 9 ). “ [ S ]a t i s fact io n o f t h i s

t es t i s a d i ffi cu l t en d eav or. Si m p l y b ecau s e a d efen d an t h as s ho wn t h at h i s t ri al

co u ns el p erfo rm ed defi ci en t ly do es n o t l ead t o an au to m at i c co n cl u s io n t h at h e was

p reju d i ced b y co u ns el ’ s d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce.” D a vi s v. S t a t e

, 3 0 6 Ga. 1 4 0, 1 4 4 (3 )

(8 2 9 SE2 d 3 2 1 ) (2 0 1 9 ). An d “ [i ] f an ap p el l an t i s u n ab l e t o s at i s fy o n e p ro ng o f t h e

S t r i ckl a nd t es t

, i t i s n o t i n cu m b en t u p o n [t h e rev i ewi ng co urt ] t o ex am i n e t h e o t h er

p ro n g.” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id . at 1 43 (3 ).

17(a) Bu rrel l fi rs t cl ai m s th at t ri al co u n s el fai l ed to p ro p erl y an d ti m el y m o v e t h e

s u p eri o r co u rt t o tran s fer t h e cas e t o t h e ju v en i l e co u rt

. S p e c i f i cal l y

, Bu rrel l fau l t s

t ri al co u n s el fo r fai li n g t o m o v e t h e s u p eri o r co urt t o tran sfer t h e m at t er o n ce t h e J u l y

1 2 ch arg es w ere n o l l e pro s eq u i ed

. Acco rd i n g t o Bu rrel l

, t ri al c o u n s el fai l ed to

reco g n ize t h at

, o n ce t h e J u l y 12 rap e ch arg e was d ro p p ed

, t h e s up eri o r co u rt fi n al l y

h ad d is cret i o n t o t ran s fer t h e cas e t o ju v en i l e co u rt

. “ To p rev ai l o n an i neffect i v en es s

cl ai m b as ed o n t ri al co u ns el ’ s fai l u re t o fi le o r p urs u e a m ot i o n , t h e d efen d an t m u s t

s h o w t h at t he m ot io n wo u l d hav e b een g ran t ed h ad t he m o t i o n b een fi l ed or p u rs u ed .”

Ge r b er t v. S t a t e

, 3 3 9 Ga. Ap p

. 1 6 4

, 1 7 9 (4 ) (a) (7 9 3 SE2 d 1 3 1 ) (2 0 1 6 ). Here,

h o wev er, Bu rrel l fo cu s es o n co u n s el ’ s fai l u re to fi l e t h e m o ti o n wi th o u t reg ard to

wh et h er i t wo u l d h av e b een g ran t ed

.

Pres um i ng t h at t h e s u p eri o r co u rt h ad t h e au t h o ri ty to tran s fer t h e m at t er t o t h e

ju v en i l e co u rt o n ce th e ch arg es rel at in g t o th e Ju l y 12 i n ci den t were n o ll e p ro s eq u i ed

,

t h ere i s n o i n d icat i o n i n t h e reco rd

– an d Bu rrel l m ak es n o arg u m en t

– t h at t h e

s u p eri o r co u rt was req u i red to ex erci s e i t s di s cret i o n t o do s o

. Al l o f t he ch arg es

ag ai n s t Bu rrel l o ri g i nat e d i n t h e s u p eri or co u rt an d

, at t h e ti m e t h e Ju l y 1 2 ch arg es

were no l l e p r o s e q u i ed

– m erel y a week b efo re t ri al

-- t h e cas e h ad b een p en d i n g in

t h at co u rt fo r n earl y 1 6 m o n t h s

, w i t h t h e s u p eri o r co urt h av i ng al read y res o l v ed

18co u nt l es s m o t i on s

. T h u s

, ev en i f t ri al co u n s el h ad fi l ed a m o t io n t o t ran s fer t o ju v en i l e

co u rt

, th e s u p eri o r co u rt wo u l d h av e b een wi t h i n i t s di s cret io n i n d en y i n g t h e m o t i o n.

See S ta t e v. Hen d

er s o n

, 2 8 1 Ga. 6 2 3

, 6 2 4 (1 ) (6 4 1 SE2 d 51 5 ) (2 0 0 7 ) (“ W h ere co u rt s

h av e co n cu rren t ju ri sd i c t i o n

, t h e fi rs t co u rt t ak i n g ju ri s d ict i o n wi l l ret ai n i t an d a

t ran s fer m ay on l y b e m ad e as p ro v i ded b y l aw.”) (ci tat i o n s an d p un ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

Acco rd in g ly

, t ri al c o u n s el d i d n o t p erfo rm d efi ci en t l y b y fai l i n g t o m ak e s u ch a

m o ti o n

. 7 See Mi ms v. St a t e

, 30 4 Ga. 8 5 1

, 8 5 9 (2 ) (c) (8 2 3 SE2 d 2 3 5) (2 0 1 9 ) (“ In s u m

,

b ecau s e [Ap p el l an t ] can n ot es t ab l i s h t h at a m o ti o n t o ch an g e v en u e wo u l d h av e b een

g ran t ed

, s h e can no t es t ab l i s h t h at t ri al co u n s el was i n effect i v e fo r fai l i n g t o fi l e

o n e.”); Bes t er v. S t at e

, 2 9 4 Ga. 1 9 5, 1 9 8 (2 ) (c) (7 5 1 SE2 d 3 6 0 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (t ri al co u n s el

n o t i n effect i ve fo r fai l in g t o fi l e a m o t i o n i n l i m i n e wh en t h e t ri al co u rt wo u l d h av e

act ed wi t h i n i ts d is cret i o n i n d en y i n g t h e m o t i o n ).

7 Bu rrel l al so cl ai m s t h at t ri al co u n s el was i n effect iv e b ecau s e s h e m o v ed t h e

s u p eri o r co u rt to t ran s fer t h e m a t t e r wh en

, he s ay s

, t h e s u peri o r co u rt h ad n o

d i s cret i o n t o d o s o

. Th i s arg u m en t i s a n o ns t art er. Bu rrel l arg u es

, i n effect

, t h at t ri al

co u ns el w as i neffect i v e b ecau s e s he fi l ed an al leg ed l y m eri t l es s m o t i o n

. Ev en

as s u m in g t hat t ri al co u ns el ’ s deci s i o n h ere am ou n t s t o d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce

– wh i ch

i s q u es ti o n ab l e

– Bu rrel l can d em o n s t rat e no p reju d i ce as a res ul t o f wh at

, h e s ay s

,

wo u l d h av e been a p r o p erl y d en i ed m o t io n

. See Da u g h er t y v. S t a t e

, 2 8 3 Ga. Ap p.

6 6 4

, 67 0 (5 ) (c) (6 42 SE2 d 3 4 5 ) (2 0 0 7 ) (n o i n effect i ve as s i st an ce o f co u n sel fl o wi n g

fro m t he fi l i n g o f an u n t i m el y m o t i o n t o sev er wh i ch was co n s i d e red an d p ro p erl y

d en ied o n t h e m eri t s ), d i s ap p ro v ed o f o n ot her g ro u n d s

, Hi l l v. S t a t e

, 3 6 0 Ga. Ap p.

1 4 3 , 1 4 7 n .4 (8 60 SE2 d 8 9 3 ) (2 0 2 1).

19(b ) Tu rn i n g t o t h e rem ai n i n g cl ai m o f i n effect i v en es s

, t h e reco rd refl ect s t h at

,

t h e d ay b efo re t ri al

, Bu rrel l accep t ed a p l ea ag reem en t o ffered b y t h e St at e t hat wo u ld

h av e al l o wed h i m to av o i d a p o s s i b l e l i fe s en t en ce. Th e n ex t d ay

, ho wev er, Bu rrel l

wi t h d rew t hat p l ea, an d h e was u l t i m at el y co n v i ct ed o f k id n ap pi n g wi th b o d i l y i n ju ry

an d was sen t en ced t o a m an d at o ry t erm o f l i fe i m p ri s on m en t

. Bu rrel l n ow arg u es t h at

“ [t ] ri al co u n s el was i neffect i v e b ecau s e s h e fai l ed to i n fo rm [h i m ] t h at i f h e wen t to

t ri al t h at h e was faci n g a m an dat o ry l i fe s en t en ce.” Ho wev er, t ri al co un s el t es t i fi ed

at t he h eari n g on Bu rrel l ’ s m ot i o n fo r n ew t ri al t h at s he d i d

, in fact , ad v is e h i m t h at

h e was faci n g a m an d at o ry l ife sen t en ce. In it s o rd er d en y i n g th e m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

,

t h e s up eri o r co u rt cred i t ed tri al co u n s el ’ s t es t i m o n y an d fo u n d th at Bu rrel l was

, in

fact

, p ro p erl y ad v i s ed

. Th e t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n d i n g s are no t cl earl y erro n eo us

, an d

, t h u s

,

we are b o u n d t o affi rm h ere. See Gr een v. S ta t e

, 3 0 2 Ga. 8 1 6

, 8 1 8 (2 ) (8 0 9 SE2 d 7 3 8 )

(2 0 1 8). W e al s o no t e t h at

, d u ri n g h i s p l e a c o l l o qu y t he d ay b efo re t ri al

, Bu rrel l

ack n owl ed ged t h at h e u n d ers t oo d t h at he w as faci n g a l i fe s en t en ce. Acco rd i n g l y

,

Bu rrel l i s n o t en t i t l ed t o rel ief o n t h i s cl ai m

.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Mi l l er

, P. J., a n d

Ho d g es , J., co n cu r

.

20